INDEPENDENT IOWA RESOURCES
If private legal services are beyond your budget, these independent organizations and programs may be able to help you find a next step.
CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE
For concerns such as housing, family matters, benefits or consumer issues. Each service determines which matters it can assist with.
A nonprofit providing free civil legal assistance to eligible Iowans. Help depends on the legal issue, eligibility and available resources. It does not handle current criminal charges, appeals, probation or parole.
Apply by phone · under age 60
800-532-1503General inquiries: 800-532-1275
Apply online & check intake hours ↗See eligibility and types of cases ↗Iowa Legal Aid’s dedicated contact for Iowans age 60 and older seeking legal help. Ask the hotline about eligibility, the type of assistance available and any approaching deadline.
Call the hotline
800-992-8161Hotline details & current hours ↗Qualifying users can submit a civil legal question online for a volunteer attorney to answer. The service does not handle criminal questions, provide phone consultations or represent users in court. A response before a deadline is not guaranteed.
Check eligibility & ask a question ↗The Iowa State Bar Association’s directory helps people locate private attorneys. The State Library’s resource guide states that listed attorneys agree to charge $25 or less for up to 30 minutes of initial consultation.
Confirm the fee and terms with the listed attorney. This initial consultation offer does not mean ongoing representation is free or discounted, and it is not an offer by Fisher Law, PC.
State Library guide & directory links ↗OTHER PATHS TO INFORMATION & ASSISTANCE
If you face criminal charges and cannot afford an attorney, you may apply for court-appointed counsel. The clerk of court can provide the application; a judge determines eligibility under Iowa law. Repayment of attorney fees may be ordered.
Iowa Legal Aid and Iowa Free Legal Answers are not substitutes for criminal defense counsel.
Iowa Courts guidance on appointed counsel ↗Find your county’s clerk of court ↗The Iowa Judicial Branch provides court forms and information for people representing themselves. Court Navigators can assist with civil court forms and basic information by appointment; they are not lawyers and cannot give legal advice.
Official court forms ↗Court Navigator information ↗